Budding Young Talent to have a Blast when BBC Truck visits Bristol on 2 August

If you are a budding journalist, film maker, animator, novelist, poet, rapper or actor aged 13-19, the BBC wants to hear from you on 2^nd – 4^th August when the BBC Blast Truck parks up at Anchor Square, Bristol. Touring for 15 weeks, the BBC Blast Truck will visit 15 locations across the UK this summer (9 June-10 September 2006). Log on to www.bbc.co.uk/blast for venue information.

Packed full of digital media goodies, this amazing 40ft mobile production studio is the place to go if you’re looking to develop your skills in film, animation, dance and theatre. Come down to the Blast Truck with your creative ideas and give them the professional touch with free tools and advice.

Bring along your creative material for feedback, get advice from BBC Bristol mentors and industry pros or take part in a creative workshop or taster session. Take the opportunity to learn how to create animated film with local experts, Aardman Animation or get to meet some of the cast and crew of the popular TV series, Casualty. Join our circus skills workshop and be a trapeze artist flying over the altar in Bristol Cathedral or learn from music industry experts how to write your own lyrics. All this and much more.

16 year old Amanda, who visited the Truck when the nationwide tour visited Belfast in June, said, “I loved Blast. Blast is buzzing! A brilliant experience, I gained a lot of confidence and self esteem. It was fab performing in front of the Belfast public. I learnt how to be professional. It was a great chance to be a part of this, I loved it!”

Linda Thomas and Alex Habgood, who are leading the local Truck team, said “Our plan is to have fun whilst profiling work created by young people, including live web-casts on our Blast local and national websites, downloads to mobiles, links with BBC radio and TV, and Bluetooth technology. An amazing array of workshops will be taking place too, including:

Day 1 – Wednesday 2 August:

10am – 6pm	Art Wall Come and make your mark.
10am – 4pm	Documentary Film-making – 3-day workshop Work alongside a professional film-maker to produce a short documentary on this 3-day course.
10am – 4pm	Junky Sound for TV – 1-hour session Learn how to lay a soundtrack to films using a variety of crazy instruments. Please indicate preference time in your booking.
10am – 4pm	MySpace Masterclass Hints and tips on setting up your own MySpace account on the web. Ongoing sessions all day. Email to book time of your choice.
10am – 4pm	Media Career Surgery Get some advice about how to get your career started. Bring along your demo tapes.
10am – 1pm	Animation with Aardman Make your own models and bring them to life on screen with local experts Aardman Animation.
10am – 12pm	Casualty Casting Workshop Actor or casting director? Meet both from the popular Casualty TV drama.
10 – 11.30am	Hip Hop Dance Learn a few easy moves and wow your mates on the dance floor.
11.30 – 1pm	Hip Hop Dance Learn a few easy moves and wow your mates on the dance floor.
12.30 – 1.30pm	Casualty drama Q & A Why does it take up to 60 people to shoot a tv drama? Find out from the Casualty team.
2 – 5pm	Get Blogging Join professional web designers and wise up on blogging, webcasting and podcasting.
2 – 5pm	Samba Drumming from Scratch – 3-hour workshop Learn how to make music with Samba drums.
2 – 3pm	Animation Q & A Animation industry experts answer your questions and give you pointers on a career in animation. Bring along your own animated demos.
5.15 – 6.15pm	Showcase A chance to see some local talent and the best of the day's creativity.

Day 2 – Thursday 3 August

10am – 6pm	Art Wall Come and make your mark.
10am – 6pm	TV Day Work alongside BBC TV professionals to shoot, edit and present your own programme.
10am – 4pm	Documentary Film-making – 3-day workshop (cont) Continued from day one.
10am – 4pm	Junky Sound for TV – 1-hour session Learn how to lay a soundtrack to films using a variety of crazy instruments. Please indicate preference time in your booking.
10am – 4pm	MySpace Masterclass Hints and tips on setting up your own MySpace account on the web. Ongoing sessions all day. Email to book time of your choice.
10am – 4pm	Theatre Workshop – 1-day workshop (16-19 year olds) Work with the Bristol Old Vic Education department to produce and perform a piece of physical theatre.
10am – 12pm	VJing Workshop Learn how to source, manipulate and mix live visuals to music.
11am – 1pm	Singing for Beginners Improve your vocal skills with Kizzy Morrell, Bristol's professional vocalist.
2 – 3pm	Music Industry Q & A Find out how to make it in the music industry and what to do with your demo tape! In association with Bristol Music Foundation and Dartington Plus - includes free entry to Carling Academy Showcase.
3 – 5pm	VJing Workshop Learn how to source, manipulate and mix live visuals to music.
4 – 5pm	Street Dance Breakdancing for beginners. Learn a few cool moves in just one hour.
5.15 – 6.15pm	Showcase A chance to see some local talent and the best of the day's creativity.

Day 3 – Friday 4 August

10am – 6pm	Art Wall Come and make your mark.
10am – 4pm	Documentary Film-making – 3-day workshop (cont) Continued from day one.
10am – 4pm	Radio Day Produce a news programme in the morning and a radio play in the afternoon.
10am – 4pm	Football Promo Video Use the latest software and digital technology to make a short promotional film about football.
10am – 4pm	MySpace Masterclass Hints and tips on setting up your own MySpace account on the web. Ongoing sessions all day. Email to book time of your choice.
10am – 2pm	Junky Sound for TV – 1-hour session Learn how to lay a soundtrack to films using a variety of crazy instruments. Please indicate preference time in your booking.
10 – 11am	Lyric writing taster session With a bit of help from a professional learn how to write your own song lyrics.
11am – 1pm	Singing for Beginners Improve your vocal skills with Kizzy Morrell, Bristol's professional vocalist.
2 – 3.30pm	Lyric writing taster session With a bit of help from a professional learn how to write your own song lyrics.
3.30 – 4.30pm	Street Dance Breakdancing for beginners. Learn a few cool moves in just one hour.
4.15 – 6pm	Music Technology Workshop Create your own original music track with the help of the latest technology and software.
4 – 7pm	Showcase Bristol

Thomas continues: “All this is just the tip of the iceberg – there’s so much more on offer. So whatever you do, don't miss out on this unique opportunity – check out the web site (www.bbc.co.uk/blast) and get signed up now.”

BBC Blast is in partnership with the Arts Council England, The Prince’s Trust, Connexions and Artworks to offer a programme of arts activities to young people. The Blast three year programme will target young people who are socially and economically disadvantaged, providing opportunities to develop creative skills as well as providing showcase opportunities.

“This tour is offering amazing opportunities to young people,” said Linda and Alex, “so if you have film, animation, lyrics, articles or ramblings about things which matter to you, the BBC Blast Truck team can give you space to show off your stuff.”

Young People keen to get involved in the BBC Blast Truck Tour should visit www.bbc.co.uk/blast or contact the local Blast co-ordinators at Bristolblast@bbc.co.uk

The BBC Blast Truck will be at Anchor Square, Bristol from the 2 August-4 August. All workshops are free, for ages 13-19. To find out more about the BBC Blast Truck and how you can get involved, log on to www.bbc.co.uk/blast. Under 16s will need to gain parental consent, a consent form is available on the Blast website.

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Budding Young Talent to have a Blast when BBC Truck visits Bristol on 2 August –